RECENT graduate Zach Kozick was a physics major at the University of Rochester. He also was a social entrepreneur. Kozick, along with 23 other students in 2008-09, took a fifth, tuition-free year through Rochester’s signature Kauffman Entrepreneurial Year (KEY) program. Students accepted into this program spend an additional year on campus pursuing an entrepreneurial endeavor.

Students accepted into this program spend an additional year on campus pursuing an entrepreneurial endeavor

Kozick hoped to connect the University of Rochester student body with the surrounding city community through his KEY project, ArtAwake, an arts and music festival. Over 25 undergraduate student volunteers organized the annual event. In its inaugural year, 1,500 people, about half of which were members of the Rochester community, attended to hear 15 bands and see 225 pieces of original artwork.

Making the Most of an Entrepreneurship Year

“One of my biggest goals is to show what widespread collaboration can accomplish,” said Kozick.

Mollie Foust, another KEY graduate who dual majored in history and anthropology, created an afterschool youth development program for at-risk students. The program integrates tutoring, athletics, community service, and ethics. She launched the pilot site at a Rochester recreation center in December 2008. She also partnered with the Flower City Soccer League to handle the sports aspect of the program and has gained the support of the Rochester City School District.

Like many entrepreneurs, Foust improved upon an existing enterprise. While studying abroad in Kenya, she worked with a similar program called the Mathari Youth Sports Association.

“When the program director there was talking, my mind was racing with ‘Oh my gosh, this program could really work well in Rochester’,” said Foust.

A team of recently accepted KEY students, chemical engineering majors Howard Kanter, Jordan Parker, and Samantha Ruiz, plans to launch a sustainability consulting firm. They have already secured their first clients—the University of Rochester’s Admissions and Financial Aid Offices.

Diverse Options for Entrepreneurship Learning

While many students interested in the KEY program choose to write a business plan and execute a project or launch an enterprise, applicants may also propose to intern at a local startup company, conduct research in the field of entrepreneurship, or analyze how culture and public policy influence entrepreneurial activity. KEY applications are accepted in both the fall and spring semesters. The group of inductees notified at the end of the 2008 fall semester boasted a record number of women.

KEY students are encouraged to select a faculty advisor for guidance throughout their project. Many consult with Bob Tobin, associate director for the University of Rochester Center for Entrepreneurship and entrepreneur-in-residence.
“For an entrepreneur, money is not the driving force; it’s the burning idea that drives you.”

Non-Traditional Entrepreneurship Education

Tobin says people tend to associate entrepreneurship exclusively with business. “At the University of Rochester, we offer entrepreneurship in nontraditional areas in addition to business and engineering,” he says. “For an entrepreneur, money is not the driving force; it’s the burning idea that drives you.”

KEY students also choose a variety of entrepreneurship courses that will help them with their project. Examples of these classes include “Entrepreneurship: Planning and Growing a Business,” “Nature of Entrepreneurship,” “Social Network Theory & Entrepreneurship,” or “Technical Entrepreneurship.” Students can also enroll in non-entrepreneurship courses in subject areas that pertain to their KEY project.

For more information on the KEY program, please visit www.rochester.edu/entrepreneurship.